Bali Facing Imminent Eruption of Mount Agung

Late on Friday two weeks ago, Indonesian authorities announced the highestpossible volcano alert warning for Mount Agung – the highest mountain on the island of Bali. The most recent eruption happened in 1963, in which more than 1,000 people were killed and hundreds were injured.

Approximate 75.000 residents from 27 villages are in danger zone, which extends as far as 12 kilometers in places. People have been fleeing to other regions of Bali and staying in temporary shelters set up by local authorities in community halls or stadiums.

For local residents, leaving their homes behind is an uneasy decision. Living in shelters with limited facility is challenging but the worst is they do not even know until when they can come back home. Mount Agung is expected to erupt at any time with long-term consequences followed.

Tenganan village, which is only 2 to 5 kilometers away from Mount Agung, is among the most vulnerable. 420 residents have been evacuated to temporary shelters and are in serious lack of food and necessities. Buffalo Tours Indonesia has called for donation from all staff to support Tenganan villagers at the shelter. On 30 September 2017, with a total fund of IDR 4.7 million raised, Buffalo Tours Indonesia visited and delivered 50 kilograms of rice, 10 boxes of UHT Milk, fresh fruits and others kinds of food to the shelter.

During the day, Buffalo Guide Ambassadors organized some fun activities such as drawing, story-telling and games for the kids at the shelter hoping to cheer them up in this hard time of adversity. Besides witnessing the poor conditions at the shelters, we also talked to the Village Head and concluded that in the long term, villagers will need more mattresses, blankets, pillows and toiletries such as soaps, toothpastes, toothbrushes etc.

In the meantime, Buffalo Tours Indonesia will continue to raise more funds to support other villages. We are also calling for support from our valued partners. If you want to give a hand to support the people of Bali, please reach out to our dedicated facilitator Heri, who has been leading all fundraising activities at heri@buffalotours.com.

With all the local prepraredness for Mount Agung possible eruption, we hope the best for Bali.